May 14, 2015

Rep. Gallego’s Statement on Vote to Strip Military DREAMers Amendment from NDAA

Washington, DC – Today the House of Representatives voted to strip the "Enable DREAMers to Serve" amendment that passed in a bipartisan manner in the House Armed Services Committee and was added to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Congressman Gallego released the following statement:

"This is clearly still Steve King's Republican Party. There was no reason to have this fight; this amendment should not have been controversial. But Mr. Brooks and his band of extreme, anti-immigrant Republicans put their extreme politics ahead of the best interest of our military and our country.

"DREAMers are talented and patriotic; they are Americans in every way except on paper, and our country would benefit from having them as part of our Armed Forces. The strength of our military isn't just measured by the size of our arsenal or by the sophistication of our weapons but by the quality of our people. I would have been proud to serve beside these young men and women.

"It is disappointing that Republicans continue to wage war on our immigrant communities instead of recognizing the many contributions they have made and can continue to make to our country."

##